2004 Lincoln Aviator: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 81 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
81
owner complaints
1
fire reports
71,500
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsWeak spot: power train (22%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)22% · 17 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)17% · 13 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)17% · 13 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)8% · 6 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)7% · 5 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)5% · 4 complaints
“My suv misfires, slips in and out of gears, stalls at stop signs and lights, accelerates at stop lights. Occasionally when the ac is turned on, there is a very loud clunk sound.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
“Backed up vehicle stopped shifted transmission to drive pressed accelerator vehicle rocketed backward because shift cable dislodged from attachment on transmission.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2019
“The vehicle down shift when turning into the first as it goes into second makes in awful noise. When I parked it and tried to start it and it was dead.the mechanic figure it had something to do with the starter he got under the vehicle to applied starter told me to start it and it did and it pinned him under the vehicle.they later said the belt had popped. The vehicle had ben leaking a lite fluid they believed it to be the differential oil. Its a four wheel drive. I had it towed to bohn ford 6/5/17they are charging 350.00 to replace the belt.city st. Later park it at walmart parking lot where the people helped push the vehicle off the mechanic.the vehicle would roll back when put in drive.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. While driving approximately 60 mph, the air bags deployed inadvertently. There was no crash involved. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they diagnosed that there was a crash detection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“I was driving east on the 202 fwy in phoenix at a speed between 65-68 mph when I heard a loud bang and both side air curtains deployed. Time: 9:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 2015. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2015
“Shifter would not go into park from reverse sometimes would not unlock from park position. Serious problem when your shifter shows in drive and you end up still going in reverse. Read other complaints from owners sounds like a defect which could cause serious injury or death. *js”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled as all of the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 102,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. The contact stated that when attempting to shift gears, the gear shifter seized. The contact also stated that the key was stuck in the ignition cylinder. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2014
“The cars check engine light came on in 4-20-07 just over 50,000 miles. We were told by ford two cylinder heads7 &8 had issues and would require a $5900.00 o.h. They did offer us $1500.00 towards the engine. We learned latter, ford had a inter-office bulletin about this problem as did all-data. Now at 126,00 we will have to have the engine overhauled. Ford should be mandated to cover the full cost of these repairs. They have known about this issue since 2004. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2013
“I had just gotten onto the highway,at about 40 mph the rear wheels started to skip and jerk also there was a loud cluck from under the front....the mechanic found the transfer case was damaged due to cheap ford parts..... *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Drive type4x2 · AWD/All-Wheel Drive
How other years compare
Check your exact Aviator by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
NHTSA has 81 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator. The most complained-about area is power train (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Lincoln Aviator problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,500 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.